When it comes to country music in British Columbia, Langley is a hot spot.
This was proven on Sunday night at the 40th annual BC Country Music Association Awards, where many local residents won accolades.
Held at the Hard Rock Theatre in Coquitlam on Oct. 23, Walnut Grove native Dallas Smith took one of the top spots, winning Entertainer of the Year, and Glen Valley resident Chad Brownlee won Male Vocalist and Album of the Year.
Shannon Claypool, who is president of the Cloverdale Rodeo and former president of BCCMA, was inducted into the BCCMA Hall of Fame for his many years of promoting local country talents.
Langley Realtors Chris and Jamie Ruscheinski were awarded Humanitarians of the Year for their Gone Country Here for the Cure concerts that raise money for cancer research.
Langley residents Steve and Barb Adams of Tim Hortons Surrey won the Presidents Citation Award.
Mike Sanyshyn of Langley/Cloverdale won special instrument of the year for the fiddle.
Jackson Hallow, also of Langley/Cloverdale, won the Gaylord Wood Traditional Country Award.
Former Langley resident Aaron Pritchett won the Fans Choice Award for his single Dirt Road in Em, and Video of the Year for the same song.
And another former Langley resident, Linda Corscadden, who is the interim president of BCCMA, won the Don Adams Country Music Person of the Year Award.
The awards show included performances by music stars JoJo Mason, Patricia Conroy, Chris Buck Band, Madeline Merlo, The Washboard Union and Aaron Pritchett.
